611.41D31/43
Memorandum by the Economic Adviser (Feis)
Mr. Brennan2 telephoned to inform me that his Government has instructed him to ascertain whether the American Government might now be willing to consider the negotiation of a commercial agreement. A similar approach had been made to us some months in the past. The Irish Government had been informed that in view of the burdensomeness of the negotiation schedule at that time this Government could not consider additional negotiations. Now, however, his Government thought we might be able to negotiate.
He stated that his Government’s desire arose from the fact that the purchases of the Irish Free State of American goods so greatly exceeded American purchases of their goods. Mr. Brennan cited the following figures:
| Exports from the United States to the Irish Free State in 1935 | £2,350,000 |
| Imports into the United States from the Irish Free State in 1935 | £157,000 |
I told him that I did not believe this Government could begin negotiations immediately, but that I was sure the Department was disposed to talk over the matter informally with him. I also told him a talk would be arranged with the head of the Trade Agreements Division. In discussing the figures cited, I stated that we would naturally wish to check them with the American figures. Furthermore, there was a very considerable amount of dollar exchange made available by immigrant remittances and tourists’ expenditures.
- Robert Brennan, Secretary and Chargé of the Irish Legation.↩